Engine-starting apparatus



31L, 19551" J. BXUYER ENGINE STARTING APPARATUS Filed April 13. 1929 5 SheetsSheet l.

ado: MW

J. B. DYER ENGINE STARTING APPARATUS Filed April 13, 1929 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 llllllllll IHHIHHII UIITI HITII Patented Mar. 31, 1931 yUNITED STATESQPATENT oFrlca JOHN B. DYER, OF ANDERSON, INDIANA,-ASSIGNOB T DELCO-REMY CORPORATION", OF

ANDERSOIF, INDIANA, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE 7 nnsrnn-s'ranrrire APPARATUS Application area April 13,

This invention relates to apparatus for- Case the operator does not release the control:

member of the starting apparatus when the engine becomes self operative, the manually operable means employed to move the starting motor pinion into mesh with the engine gear comprises an actuator, a member which transmits motion from the actuator to the pinion and connections between the actuator and member which are disconnected automatically before the engine starts.

One of the objects of the present invention isto provide an engine starter of this type with meanswhich assists inmoving the motion transmitting member away from the engine gear while-cranking the engine,.in order that the demeshing movement of the pinion after the engine starts will not be obstructed by the motion transmitting memher. In the disclosed embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a spring which resists movement of the motiontranse mitting member in a direction for moving the pinion into mesh with the engine gear. 'Thus energy is stored in the spring before the actuator is disconnected from-the motion transmitting member. When the. actuator is automatically disconnected from the motion transmitting member,the spring is' released to urge the motion transmitting memher away from the engine gear. I

In one of its aspects, the present invention constitutes an improvement in the form of engine starting apparatus disclosed in the pending application of John B. Dyer, Serial No. 814,809, filed Oct. 24, 1928. Theengine starter disclosed in said application includes means for imparting preliminary rotation to the pinion to facilitate meshing. with the engine gear. However the present invention is a Fig. 1.

1929. serial No. 354,734.

not limited in its application to engine starters whichprovide for preliminary rotation of the pinion, as it will be apparent from the description which follows that the present invention may be applied to other types of engine starters having manually efiected meshing of the starter pinion with the engine gear and automatic demeshment of the pinion from the engine gear when the engine starts.

Further objects and advantages of the presentinvention will be apparent from the following description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, wherein a preferred form of embodiment of the present invention is clearly shown.

In the drawings: 9

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary view, partly in longitudinal section, of an engine starting apparatus embodying the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view on line 2-2 of Fig. 3 is a bottom view of a portion of the apparatus, looking in the direction of the arrow 3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal, sectional View of a on the line 44 portion of the apparatus, this section being taken on a vertical plane as indicated by theline 55 of Fig. 4.

F 6' is a sectional View on the line 6-G R3 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a diagrammatic View of parts shown in Fig. 1, and shows the condition of the apparatus at the instant the motor pinion has been rotated into, meshing registration with the gear of the englne.

Fig. 8 is a sectional View on the line 88 of Fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is a bottom view of certain parts shown in Fig. '7, this view being taken in the direction of arrow 9 of Fig. 7

Figs. 10 and 11 are development views of certain parts shown in Figs. 1 and 7 respectively, Fig. 10 showing these parts in normal position, and Fig. 11 showing the same partsycorresponding to the position shown in Fig.

'Fig. 12 is a view similar to Fig. 7, but

shows the apparatus in position ust prior to closing the motor switch.

Fig. 13 is a view similar to Fig. 12, showing the condition of the apparatus during the cranking operation.

Fig. 14': is a view similar to Fig. 13, showing the starting apparatus after the engine has become self-operative and before the operator has released the pedal.

Fig. 15 is a plan view of a sheet metal blank used to form a. sleeve employed to transmit motion from the pedal to the pinion shifter.

Fig. 16 is a double size view of a pinion thrust washer, this view being taken in the plane of the line 16-16 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 17 is a sectional view on the line 17-17 of Fig. 16.

Referring to the drawings, 20 designates the field frame of an electric motor which is secured to a gear housing 21 adapted to be attached to an engine frame not shown. The frame 20 carries a bearing, not shown, for supporting the left end of a motor armature shaft 22, and the frame 21 provides a bearing 23 for said shaft. The motor circuit is controlled by a switch having a casing 2st, a fragment of which is shown in Fig. 1. The casing 2% encloses contacts, one of which is movable by a switch plunger 25 normally hold in switch-open position by a spring 26. The means for connecting the shaft 22 with the flywheel of an engine to be started comprise a pinion 31 and provisions for autom atically causing the pinion to-be demeshed from the gear 30 when the engine starts. These provisions result from employing helical splines on the shaft 22 for driving the pinion 31. On referring to Fig. t, it will be noted that the internal helical splines 33 of pinion 31 are substantially narrower than the helical grooves 34 between the splines of the shaft 22. .This construction provides what is designated a lost motion helical spline connection between the shaft and pinion. Normally the splines of the pinion are spaced from the driving side of the splines of the shaft and are normally maintained in engagemcnt with the demeshing sides of the splines of the shaft.' This normal relation between the pinion and shaft will be described when describing the pinion shifter.

The pinion shifter 37 is a disc-like body having internal splines which cooperate with the splines of the shaft with relatively little lost motion. Therefore, axial movement of the shifter along the shaft will be accompanied by rotary motion of the shifter. Rotary motion of the shifter is imparted to the pinion 31 by providing the pinion with a tubular extension 35 having diametrically opposite grooves 36, each receiving a tang 37a extending from the shifter 37. Motion is imparted from the shifter 37 axially to the pinion 31 by a spring 38 encircling the shaft 22 and located between the shifter 37 and the pinion 31. Thus it will be seen that motion of the shifter 37 axially toward the gear 30 will cause the pinion 31 to be yieldingly urged toward the gear and in case of gear tooth abutment, the pinion 31 will be yieldingly pressed by the spring 38 against the gear while the shifter 37 continues to move axially along the shaft in order to rotate the pinion into meshing registration with the engine gear. It is desirable that the pinion be yieldingly pressed against the engine gear while being rotated for the reason that a yielding pressure will permit the pinion to recede along the shaft slightly while being rotated in engagement with the end face of a gear tooth. If the pinion were not permitted to recede slightly it might become interlocked with the engine gear due to the engagement of roughened surfaces at the ends of the abutting pinion and gear teeth.

The spring 38 is normally in a state of compression as shown in Fig. 5 and the means for preventing separation of the pinion from the shifter to a greater extent than shown in Fig. 5, includes the motor shaft itself. It will be noted that the spring 38 tends to urge the shifter 37 axially toward the left and the pinion 31 axially toward the right as viewed in the drawings. Due to the connection between the shifter and pinion provided by the tangs 37a and grooved tubular extension 36, relative endwise movement between the pinion and shifter can take place only axially of the shaft. Therefore the helical splines 32 of the shaft cooperate with the helical splines of the shifter and pinion to limitseparation of these two elements. It is apparent from Fig. 10 that the spring 38 tends to move the helical splines 37b of the shifter 37 only in an axial direction until they engage one side of the shaft splines The spring 38 urges the splines 33 of the pinion only in an axial direction until they engage the demeshed sides of the splines 32 of the shaft. Therefore, no other means are required to limit separation of the pinion and shifter while these elements are mounted upon the shaft.

The shifter splines 37 Z) are normally yieldingly pressed against portions 32a of the shaft splines, which portions are inclined at a smaller angle to the shaft axis than other portions of the splines. This construction provides means for locking the pinion 31 to the shaft 22 in such a way that it cannot be moved toward the engine gear unless the shifter 37 be moved toward the engine gear. It is apparent from Fig. 10 that, if one were to take hold of the pinion 31 and pull it toward the right, resistance would be offered immediately due to the fact that the shifter and pinion are so connected that one cannot be moved helically without moving the other and that movement of the pinion splines 33 helical along'a shaft spline portion of one lead or pitch cannot take place while the splines 37?) of the shifter attempt to move along a shaft spline-portion of a different pitch. In other words, it is apparent that if one were to attempt to slide the pinion splines 33 along the shaft splines 32 toward the right as viewed in Fig. 10, these pinion splines will become tightly wedged against the shaft splines due to the fact that the shifter splines 37 b while engaging the shaft splined portion 32a, will prevent rotary motion of the pinion. Therefore, while the shifter 37 remains in normal position, the pinion will not driftaccidentally into mesh with the engine gear.

The manually operable means for actuating the pinion shifter 37 includes a lever 40 adapted to be operated by a pedal not shown and pivoted upon a stud 41 attached by a nut 42 to the gear housing 21 as shown in Fig. 2. The lever 40 is normally maintained in the position shown in Fig. 1 by a spring having its intermediate portion 43 coiled around the stud 41 and having end portions 44 and 45 engaging respectively the housing 21 and the lever 40. The spring 43 is so biased as to urge the lever 40 in a clockwise direction. The lever 40 carries a stud 44 adapted to engage the switch plunger 25.

Motion is transmitted from the lever 40 to the shifter 37 by devices which are disconnectible in response to the operation of the starter while cranking the engine. These devices comprise a stud 50-attached adjacent the lower end of the lever 40 and normally received by a notch 51 in a sleeve 52 which 1s mounted concentrically upon a hub 53. The hub 53 supports discs 54 and 55 which space the sleeve 52 fromthe hub 53. The disc 54 is provided adjacent its periphery with notdhes which receive tangs 56 extending from the sleeve 52. Thus relative movement between the sleeve 52 and the disc 54 is limited in one direction toward the interior of the sleeve or toward the disc 55. The disc 55 is provided as shown in Fig. with a tang 57 which is received by an opening 58 in the sleeve 52 and whiclnwhen assembled, bears against the edge surface 58a (seeFig. .15). The sleeve 52 is provided with tangs 59 bent inwardlyto provide stops also for engaging that surface of the disc 55 which faces the disc 54. Thus when the sleeve 52 and the disc 55 are assembled, relative motion between them is limited in one direction so that the disc 55 can not be moved toward the disc 54 after it has been assembled and engages the tangs 59 and the edge surface 58a of the bpening 58 in the sleeve 52. The hub 53 which is made of tubing or by rolling up a piece of flat stock is provided with outward- 1y bent tangs 60. The hub 53 is passed through central aligned openings in the discs 55 and 54 until its tangs 60 engage the right preferably from the blank shown in Fig. 15 a which is provided with interlocking dove-" tail tangs'and notches 62 and 63 which are interlocked to maintain the blank in cylindrical form. The notch 51 may be considered as an extension from a substantiallytriangular opening 64 which is defined particularly by an edge surface 65 and an edge surface 66 both of which are oblique to the axis of rotation of the sleeve 52. The edge surface 65 of the assembled sleeve 52 is at an angle of 3 to 4 degrees with a plane perpendicular to the axis of the shaft 22 while the edge surface 66 is located at a much greater angle.

For a purpose to be described, there is provided a spring 70 which surrounds the hub 53 of sleeve 52 and is located between the disc 55 and a washer 71 retain-ed upon the hub 53 by lugs 72 provided by upsetting the hub 53 after the'washer 71 has been placed thereon. The spring 7 O is normally compressed. The spring 70 is assembled upon the hub 53 after the washer 71 is assembled therewith, but before the hub through the discs 55 and 54'which have been previously assembled with the sleeve 52 as described before.

While the pinion is driving the engine gear 30 it engages a thrust collar which is more clearly shown in double scale in Figsrlti and 17. Thethrust collar 80 includes a plane portion 81 and a peripheral portion 82. The plane portion is provided with a central aperture adapted to receive the splined shaft 22. Those parts of the plane portion 81 between the notches 83 which receive the shaft spline 32 are adapted to bearagainst a wire split ring 84 received by a groove 85 in the shaft The peripheraliportion 82 is provided with tangs 86 which are bent around the wire 84 as shown in F ig. 1 after the thrust collar 80 has been assembled. End thrust from the shaft is transmitted to the gear housing 21 by a plane washer 87 which engages afinished surface 88 provided by the housing adjacent the left end of the bearing 23. Y

The operation of the engine starter is as follows:

The lever 40 is moved in a counterclockwise direction thereby causing the stud 50 to move toward the right along the shaft 22 and to is being moved into mesh with the engine gearand before the motor switch is closed,

53 is passed the edge surface 65 defining the notch 51 in the sleeve 52 is engaged by the stud 50. In case motion of the pinion toward the right is arrested by the engagement of its teeth with the teeth of the gear, continued counterclockwise movement of the lever 40 will cause the pinion shifter 37 to move in a helical path about the shaft 22 while the pinion 31 is being yieldingly pressed by the spring 38 against the engine gear. During the movement of the lever from the position shown in Fig. 1 to that shown in Fig. 7, the pinion will be rotated from the position shown in Fig. 1- to the position shown in Fig. 8 and its internal helical splines will be transferred from the demeshing sides of the shaft splines 32 as shown in 10 to the driving sides of the shaft splines as shown in Fig. 11. This amount of preliminary rotation of the pinion will be sufiicient to cause its teeth to be registered for meshing with the engine gear. Fig. 7 shows the apparatus just at the instant the pinion is ready to mesh with the engine gear. Fig. 11 which corresponds to Fig. 7 shows that the shifter splines 37?) have been moved considerably closer than normal to the pinion 31. Therefore the spring 38 will be considerably more compressed at the instant the pinion has been turned for meshing with the engine gear. When this condition is brought about the spring 38 will be released in order to cause the pinion to move forward into mesh with the engine gear. If the lever 40 remained fixed during this spring operated movement of the pinion, the pinion would move into mesh with the engine gear until its internal splines are in contact with the demeshing sides of the shaft splines. By the time the lever 40 has been moved into the position shown in Fig. 12, just prior to closing the switch, the pinion will have been rotated until its splines 33 are engaged by the driving sides of the shaft splines 32.

Further movement of the level l0 in a vountercloclnvise direction from the position shown in Fig. 12 toward that shown. in Fig. 13 will cause the stud 44 of th lever 40 to push the switch plunger 25 into switch closed position. This will cause the motor to turn the shaft 22 and the pinion 31 to drive the engine gear 30. The driving direction of rotation of the shaft 22 is clockwise as viewed from the r ght hand end looking in the direction of arrow 90 in Fig. 1. While the on gine is being cranked, the shaft 22 will rotate the sleeve 52 in the same direction, by virtue of a frictional drag between these parts in order to withdraw the notch 51 from the stud and to cause the oblique edge surface 66 to engage the stud 51. Due to the engagement of the surface 66 with the stud 51 while the sleeve 52 is rotating, the sleeve will be cammed toward the left as viewed in the drawings, from the position shown in Fig. 12 to that shown in Fig. 13. This motion of the sleeve 52 away from the pinion. shifter 37 is also assisted by virtue of the spring 7 0 which has been compressed substantially beyond its initial state as shown particularly in Fig. 12. This further compression of spring 7 O is due to the fact that the washer 71 is cngageable with the left hand end of shifter 37 and that the sleeve 52 and disc 55 have been displaced to the right relative to the shifter 37 when the starter drive has been moved from normal. position into engine cranking position as shown in Fig. 12. \Vhen the notch surface is free of the stud 50, the spring will be released and will expand quickly to move the sleeve 52 away from the shifter 37 and pinion 31. Thus the sleeve 52 is assisted materially by the spring 70 in moving from the position shown in F 12 to the position shown in Fig. 13. Rotation of the sleeve from the position shown in Fig. 12 to that shown in Fig. 13 is assisted by gravity due to the fact that the material of the sleeve 52 is unevenly distributed and is so arranged that when the sleeve is positioned as shown in Figs. 1 or 12 its heavier side will tend to move to the lowest level in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in the direction of the arrow in Figs. 1 and 12; but when the sleeve 52 shall have been frictionallr dragged by the shaft 22 in a clockwise direction as viewed looking in the direction of the arrow 90 until the notch 51 is free of the pin 50, then the heavier side of sleeve 52 wi l tend to rotate in this same latter direction when seeking the lowest level. Consequentlv. the hub 53 of the sleeve 52 will be retracted from the pinion shifter 37 so that the pinion together with its shifter may be moved toward the left free of obstruction when the pinion is automatically demeshed from the engine gear when the engine starts. Hence automatic demeshment of the pinion may take place regardless of the status of the lever 40. After the starting operation, the opcrator will release the lever ll) to permit the spring 413 to restore the lever to the position shown in Fig. 1. During clockwise movement of the lever l0 toward normal position the stud 51 carried by it will engage the in clined surface 66 provided by the sleeve in order to cause the sleeve to be rotated again to normal position so that the notch 51 will again receive the stud 50. Therefore it is apparent that the operator must permit the lever 40 to be returned to normal position before the starting operation can be repeated.

During the operation of demeshing the pinion, the pinion will be whirled with considerable force in a helical path out of mesh with the engine gear and the pinion shifter will be moved with the pinion in substantiallv the same path until it engages the sleeve hub Due to its greater momentum, the pinion 31 may move further toward the left beforecoming to rest thereby compressing the spring 38 the pinion back into normal position as shown in 10. There will be no tendency for the shifter '37 to rebound after striking the hub 53 because it is being followed up by the pinion and compressed spring 38. In the normal position of the shifter 37 its splines 37?) have a slight amount of lost motion with respect to the shaft splines 32. Hence when the shifter 37 is restored to normal position, its

splines 376 will besure to recede from the pinion splines 33 sufficiently to engage those portions 32a of the shaft splines which are inclined to the shaft axis at a different angle from other portions of the shaft splines. In other words, there should be sufficient lost motion to insure that the shifter splines 37?) move a substantial distance toward the left from the junction of the shaft spline portions 32a with portions to the right thereof. This construction therefore insures that there will always be such cooperation between the shifter splines 37?) and shaft spline portions 32a that the pinion 31 will be locked to the shaft until released by movement of the shifter 37 toward the right.

The present invention embodies theessential features of the inventions disclosed in the applications referred to, in that the meshing of the pinion with the engine gear is accomplished by manual eflort'before the motor switch is closed'so that'da'mage to the gear teeth will be minimized, and in that the pinion is automatically demeshed regardless of the status of the operating lever, thereby dispensin g with the use of an overrunning clutch between the pinion and motor shaft. The present invention constitutes an improvement over the copending application, Serial No. 258,071 particularly with respect to the fact that the pinion is directly driven by the motor shaft and not by an intermediate element which constitutes part of the means for rotating the pinion while it isbeing pressed against the engine gear. By providing the lost motion spline connection between the pinion and shaft, the pinion may be directly driven by the shaft and the lost motion will permit rotating the pinion relative to the shaft in order that gear meshing will be facilitated. The

pinion shifter, since it does not transmit cranking torque from the motor to the pinion, but is only used to turn the pinion manually, may be made very cheaply. The cost of construction is reduced also since means other than the shaft ltself are not required for limiting the separatlon of the shifter from the pinion. 7 Also due to this'feature, the assembling of the shifter and pinion together upon the shaft has been greatly facilitated.

' hile the form of embodiment of the present-invention as herein disclosed, constitutes a preferred form, it is to'be understood that other forms might be adopted, all coming within the scope of the claims which follow.

WVhat is claimed is as follows 1. Engine starting apparatus comprising in combination, a pinion movable into mesh with the gear of an engine to be started, means for automatically demeshing the pinion from the engine gear when the engine starts," manually operable means for moving the pinion into mesh with the engine gear and comprising an actuator, a member transmitting motion from the actuator to the pinion and connections between the actuator andmotion transmitting member which are disconnected automatically before the engine starts; and a spring resisting movement of the motion transmitting member while moving the pinion into mesh with the engine gear, said spring being released when the motion transmitting member is disconnected from the actuator for causing the motion transmitting member to be urged away from the engine gear.

2. Engine starting apparatus comprising in'combination, a pinion movable into mesh with the gear of an engine to be started, means for automatically demeshing the pinion from the engine gear when the engine starts, manually operable means for moving the pinion axially into mesh with the engine gearand comprising an actuator, a member movable axially of the pinion for transmitting motion from the actuator and the pinion and connections between the actuator and member which are automatically disconnected before the engine starts; and a spring resisting movement of the motion transmitting member while moving the pinioninto mesh with the engine gear, said spring being released when the motion transmitting memberis disconnected'from the actuator for urging said member axially away from the pin ion.

3. Engine starting apparatus comprising,

" in combination, a shaft, a pinion so connected sleeve and actuator which are automatically disconnected before the engine starts and a spring resistlng movement of the sleeve while movlng the pinion 1nto mesh wlth'the engine gear,- saidspring being released when the sleeve is disconnected from the actuator for urging the sleeve axially away from the engine gear. 1

4. Engine starting apparatus comprising, in combination, a shaft,a pinion having a helically splineddriving connection thercwith, manually operable means for moving the pinion into mesh with an engine gear and comprising an actuator having a sleeve engaging part, a sleeve movable along the shaft for transmitting motion from the actuator axially to the pinion, said sleeve having a part engageable with said actuator parts, the sleeve part being rotated away from the actuator part when the engine is being cranked due to rotation of the sleeve with the shaft by virtue of frictional drag; and a spring resisting movement of the sleeve while moving the pinion into mesh with the engine gear, said spring being released when the sleeve is disconnected from the actuator for urging the sleeve axially away from the engine gear.

5. Engine starting apparatus comprising, in combination, a shaft, a pinion having a helically sp'lincd driving connectiontherewith, manually operable means for moving the pinion into mesh with an engine gear and comprising a actuator ha ing a sleeve engaging part, a sleeve movable along the shaft, said sleeve having a part engageable with said actuator part, the sleeve part being rotated away from the actuator part when the engine is being cranked due to rotation of the sleeve with the shaft by virtue of frictional drag, and means yieldingly transmitting axial movement from the sleeve to the pinion and a spring located between the sleeve and pinion and compressed by said manual means when moving the pinion into mesh with the engine gear and released when the sleeve is disconnected from the actuator for urging the sleeve axially away from the engine gear.

6. Engine starting apparatus comprising in combination, a pinion movable into mesh with the gear of an engine to be started, means for automatically demeshing the pinion from the engine gear when the engine starts, manually operable means for moving the pinion axially into mesh with the engine gear and comprising an actuator, a member movable axially of the pinion, and connections between the actuator and member which are automatically disconnected before the engine starts, and means yieldingly transmitting movement axially from said axially movable member to the pinion, and a spring located between the axially movable member and the pinion and compressed by said manual means when moving the pinion into mesh with the engine gear and released when the axially movable member is disconnected from the actuator for urging said member axially away from the engine gear.

7. Engine starting apparatus comprising in combination, a pinion movable into mesh with the gear of an engine to be started, means for automatically demeshing the pinion from the engine gear when the engine starts, manually operable means for moving the pinion into mesh with the engine gear and compressed by said manual means when mov-,

ing the pinion into mesh with the engine gear and released when the motion transmitting member is disconnected from the actuator for urging the motion transmitting member a vay from the engine gear.

8. Engine starting apparatus comprising in combination a motor; means for connecting the motor with the gear of an engine to be started and including a' pinion movable axially into mesh with the engine gear and provisions whereby the pinion will be automatically demeshed from the engine gear when the engine starts; means for manually meshing the pinion with the gear and including means for manually rotating the pinion prior to meshing in case of gear tooth abutment; said manual means comprising an actuator, a member for transmitting movement from the actuator axially to t 1e pinion, and connections between the actuator and member which are automatically disconnected before the engine starts; and a spring resisting movement of the motion transmitting member while moving the pinion into mesh with the engine gear, said spring being released for operation when the motion transmitting member is disconnected from the actuator for urging said member away from the engine gear.

9. Engine starting apparatus comprising. in combination. a shaft, a pinion so connected therewith that movement of the pinion along the shaft is accompanied by rotary movement relative to the shaft; means for manually moving the pinion into mesh with an engine gear and including means for manually rotating the pinion prior to meshing in case of gear tooth abutment, said manual means comprising an actuator a member for transmitting movement from the actuator axially to the pinion, and connections between the actuator and member which are auton'iatically disconnected before the engine starts; and a spring resisting movement of the motion transmitting member while 1nov ing the pinion into mesh with the engine gear, said spring being released when the motion transmitting member is disconnected from the actuator for urging said member away from the engine gear.

10. Engine starting apparatus comprising in combination, a shaft; a pinion having a helically splined driving connections therewith; means for manually moving the pinion into mesh with an engine gear and including means for manually rotating the pinion prior tuator part; the sleeve'part being rotated away from the actuator part when the engine is being cranked due to rotation of the sleeve with the shaft by virtue of frictional drag; and a spring resisting movement of the sleeve while moving the pinion into mesh with the engine gear, said spring being released for operation when the sleeve is disconnected from the actuator for urging the sleeve axially away from the engine gear. 1

11. Engine starting apparatus comprising, in combination, a shaft; a pinion having a helically splined driving connection therewith; means for manually moving the pinion into mesh with an engine gear and including means for manually rotating the pinion prior to meshing in case of gear tooth abutment, said manual means comprising an actuator having a sleeve engaging part, a sleeve movable along the shaft, said sleeve having part engageable with said actuator part,

the sleeve part being rotated away from the actuator part when the engine isbeing cranked due to rotationof the sleeve with the shaft by virtue of frictional drag, and means "yieldingly transmitting axial move, ment from the sleeve to the pinionfanda spring located between the sleeve and pinion and compressed by said manual means when moving of the pinion into mesh with the engine gear and released when the sleeve is disconnected from the actuator 'for urging the sleeve axially away from the engine gear.

12. Engine starting apparatus' comprising in combination a motor; means for connecting the motor with the gear ofan engine-to be started and including a pinion movable aX- ially into mesh with the engine gear and provisions whereby the pinion will be automatically demeshed from the engine' gear when the engine starts; means for manually meshing the pinion with the gear and including means for manually rotating the pinion prior to meshing, in case of gear tooth abutment; said manual meanscomprising an actuator, a member for transmitting. movement from the actuator, connectionsbetween the actuator and member which are automatically disconnected before the engine starts and means ,yieldingly transmitting aXial" movement iromthe motion transmitting member to the pinion; and a spring located between the motion transmitting member and the pinion iandcompressed by said manual means when .m'ovingthe pinioninto mesh with the en- 'gine gear, and released when i the motion transmitting member is disconnected from the engine member in case the drivi the actuator for urging said member away from the engine gear.

13. An engine starter drive comprising, in combination, a' rotatable driving member adapted to move axially into driving con nection with a member of an engine "to be started' manually operable means including disconnectible actuating and actuated mem bers for moving the driving member toward the engine member and a; spring for transmitting motion from the actuated member to the driving member in order that the driving member may be yieldingly urged against the engine member in case the driving member collides with the engine member before be coming drivingly connected therewith; means cooperating with the actuated member for causing the driving member to rotate while being yieldingly pressed against the engine member; means for automatically disconnecting the actuating member from the actuated member before the engine starts; a spring resisting movement of the actuated member while moving the pinion into mesh with the engine gear, said spring. being re leased in response to the disconnection of the actuating member from the actuated member for urging the actuated member away from the engine member; and means for automaticallydisconnecting said driving member from the engine member when the engine starts.

14. An engine starter drive comprising, in combination, a rotatable driving member adapted to move axially into driving con here for moving the driving member toward I the engine member and a spring for transmitting motion from the actuated member to the driving member in order that the driving member may be yieldingly urged against M member collides becoming drivingly connected therewith; means cooperating with the actuated member for causingthe driving member to rotate while being yieldingly pressed against the engine part; a starting motor for operating the driving member; means responsive to the with the engine member before operationrof the motor for automatically'dis connectingthe actuating member from the actuated member before the engine starts:

a spring reslstlng movement of the actuated member while moving the pinion into mesh with the engine gear, said spring being re-' leased in response to the disconnection of the actuating member from the actuated member for urging the actuated member away from the engine member; and means for automatically disconnecting said driving member from the engine member when the engine starts. A

15; Engine starting apparatus comprising,

in combination, a motor; a shaft operated thereby; a pinion driven by the shaft and movable endwise along said shaft into mesh with an engine gear; a pinion shifter movable along the shaft and so connected with the shaft that endwise movement of the shifter is accompanied by rotation thereof; lost motion connections between the shifter and pinion permitting limited longitudinal movement of the shifter relative to the pinion in case endwise movement of the pinion is arrested, whereby rotary motion only will be imparted by the shifter to the pinion; a spring for transmitting motion from the shifter endwise to the pinion whereby the pinion will be yieldingly pressed against the engine gear while being rotated prior to meshing; manually operable means for moving the shifter and including disconnectible actuating and actuated members; automatic means for disconnecting the actuated member from the actuating member before the engine starts; a spring resisting movement of the actuated member while movin the pinion into mesh with the engine gear said spring being released in response to the disconnection of the actuating and actuated members for urging the actuated member away from the engine gear; and automatic means for disconnecting the pinion from the gear when the engine starts.

16. Engine starting apparatus comprising, in combination, a motor; a shaft operated thereby; means for connecting the shaft with the gear of an engine to be started and including a pinion meshing endwise with the gear and provisions whereby the pinion will be automatically demeshed when the engine starts; a device for roving the pinion and wise and operating in case of abutment with the engine gear for rotating the pinion while it is pressed against the engine gear; a manually operable actuator; disconnectible actua ing and actuated motion-transmitting elements operatively connected respectively with the actuator and the shifting device; means for automatically moving the actuated element operatively connected with the shifting device away from the path of movement of the actuating element connected with the actuator before the engine starts; a spring resisting movement of the actuated element while moving the pinion into mesh with the engine gear and released by the said movement of the actuated element away from the path of movement of the actuating element for urging the actuated element away from the pinion; and means for restoring the operative connection between the actuating and actuated elements.

' 17. Engine starting apparatus comprising, in combination, a motor; a shaft operated thereby; means for connecting the shaft with the gear of an engine to be started and including a pinion meshing endwise with the gear and provisions whereby the pinion will be automatically demeshed when the engine starts; a device for moving the pinion endwise and operating in case of abutment with the engine gear for rotating the pinion while it is pressed against the engine gear; a manually operable actuator; disconnectible actuating and actuated motion transmitting elements operatively connected respectively with the actuator and the shifting device; means responsive to the operation of the starting motor for automatically moving the actuated element connected with the shifting device away from the path of movement of the actuating element connected with the actuator before the engine starts; a spring resisting movement of the actuated element while moving the pinion into mesh with the engine gear and released by the said movement of the actuated element away from the path of movement of the actuating element for urgingthe actuated element away from the pinion; and means for restoring the operative connection between the actuating and actuated elements.

18. Engine starting apparatus comprising, in combination, a motor; a shaft operated thereby; means for connecting the shaft with the gear of an engine to be started and including a pinion meshing endwise with the gear and provisions whereby the pinion will be automatically demeshed when the engine starts; a device for moving the pinion endwise and operating in case of abutment with the engine gear for rotating the pinion while it is pressed against the engine gear; a manually operable actuator; disconnectible actuating and actuated motion-transmitting elements operatively connected respectively with the actuator and the shifting device:

means frictionally connecting said actuated element with the shaft whereby the element will be rotated away from the path of movein ent of the actuating element when the motor operates; a spring resisting movement of the actuated element while moving the pinion into mesh with the engine gear and released by the said movement of the actuated element away from the path of movement of the actuating element for urging the actuated element away from the pinion; and means for restoring the operative connection between the actuating and actuated elements.

19. Engine starting apparatus comprising, in combination, a motor; a shaft operated thereby; means for connecting the shaft with the gear of an engine to be started and including a pinion meshing endwise with the gear and provisions whereby the pinion will be automatically demeshed when the engine starts; a manually operated actuator; an actuating element moved by the actuator longitudinally of the shaft; an actuated element rotatably supported by the shaft and frictionally connected therewith and adaptwhen the actuator is returned to normal 130-- s1t1on; and a spring resisting movement of the actuated element while moving the pinion into mesh with the engine gear and released by the said movement of the actuated element away from the path of movement of the actuating element for urging the actuated element away from the pinion.

20. Engine starting apparatus comprising, in combination, a motor; a shaft operated thereby; means for connecting the shaft with the gear of an engine to be started and including a pinion meshing endwise with the gear and provisions whereby the pinionwill be automatically demeshed when the en-' gine starts; a manually operated actuator; a pin element moved by the actuator along the shaft; and a cylindrical device rotatably supported by the shaft and frictionally connected therewith and movable endwise so'as to move the pinion toward the engine gear, said device having a recess for receiving the pin and so shaped as to provide a surface normally located in the path-of movement of the pin but rota-table out of the path of movement of the pin when the motor operates, andso shaped as to provide a surface oblique to the shaft and coactingwith the pin to cause the device to be retracted from the engine gear due to rotation of the device by the shaft when the motor operates, and also 00- acting with the pin to effect the rotation of the device to normal position when the pin is returned to normal position; and a spring located between the pinion and the cylindrical device and resisting movement of the cylindrical device while moving the pinion into mesh with the engine gear and released by the rotation of the device to disconnect it from the pin whereby'the retraction of said device from the pinion will be assisted by said spring. 7

21. Engine starting apparatus comprising, in combination, a motor; a shaft operated thereby; a pinion driven by the shaft and movable endwise along said shaftf into mesh.

with an engine gear; a pinion shifter movable along the shaft and so connected with the shaft that endwise movement of the shifter is accompanied by rotation thereof; lost motion connections between, the shifter and pinion permitting limited longitudinal movement of the shifter relative to the pinion in case endwise movement of the pinion is arrested whereby rotary motion only will be imparted by the shifter to the pinion;.a

spring for urging the pinion yieldingly against the engine gear while the pinion is rotated by the shifter; a manually operable actuator; disconnectible actuating and actuated motion-transmitting elements operatively connected respectively with the actuator and shifter; means for automatically moving the actuated element away from the path of movement of the actuating element before the engine starts; a spring located between the actuated element and the pinion andcompressed by reason of longitudinal movement of the actuated element relative to the pin ion while meshing the pinion with the engine gear, and released when the actuated element is disconnected from the actuating element whereby the actuated element will be urged away from the pinion before the engine starts; means for automatically disconnecting the pinion from the engine gear when the engine starts; and means for restoring the operative connection between the actuating and actuated elements.

22. Engine starting apparatus comprising, in combination, a motor; 'a shaft operated thereby; a pinion driven by the shaft and movable endwise along said shaft into mesh with an engine gear; a pinion shifter movable along the shaft and so connected with the shaft that endwise movement of the shifter is accompanied by rotation thereof; lost motion connections between the shifterand pinion permitting limited longitudinalmovement of the shifter relative to the pinion in case endwise movement of the pinion is arrested whereby rotary motion only will be imparted by the shifter to the pinion; a

spring for urging the pinion yieldingly against the engine gear while the pinion is rotated by the shifter; a manually operable actuator; disconnectible actuating and actuated motion-transmitting elements operatively connected respectively with the actuator and shifter; means responsive to the operation of the starting motor for automatically mov ing the actuated element away from the path of movement of the actuating element before the engine starts;,a spring means located between the actuated element and the pinion and compressed by reason of longitudinal movement of the actuatedelement relative to the pinion while meshing the pinion with the engine gear, and released when the actuated element is disconnected from the actuating element whereby the actuated element willbe urged away from the pinion before the engine starts; means for automatically demeshing the pinion from theengine gear when the engine starts; and means for restoring the operative connection between the actuating and actuated elements.

23. Engine starting apparatus comprising, in combination a motor; a shaft operated thereby; a pinion driven by the shaft and movableendwise along said shaft into mesh with an engine gear; a pinion shifter movable along the shaft and soconnected with the shaft that endwise movement of'the shifter is accompanied by rotation thereof; iost motion connections between the shifter and pinion permitting limited longitudinal movement of the shifter relative to the pinion in case endwise movement of the pinion is arrested whereby rotary motion only will be imparted by the shifter to the pinion; a spring for urging the pinion yieldingly against the engine gear while the pinion is rotated by the shifter; a manually operable actuator; disconnectible actuating and actuated motion-transmitting elements operatively connected respectively with the actuator and shifter; means frictionally connecting the actuated element with the shaft whereby said element will be rotated away from the path of movement of the actuating element during cranking; a spring located between the actuated element and the pinion and compressed by reason of longitudinal movement of the actuated element relative to the pinion while meshing the pinion with the engine gear, and released when the actuated element is disconnected from the actuating element whereby the actuated element will be urged away from the pinion before the engine starts; means for automatically demeshing the pinion from the engine gear when the engine starts; and means for restoring the operative connection between the actuating and actuated elements.

24. Engine starting apparatus comprising, in combination a motor; a shaft operated thereby; a pinion driven by the shaft and movable endwise along said shaft into mesh with an engine gear; a pinion shifter movable along the shaft and so connected with the shaft that endwise movement of the shifter is accompanied by rotation thereof; lost motion connections between the shifter and pinion permitting limited longitudinal movement of the shifter relative to the pinion in case endwise movement of the pinion is arrested whereby rotary motion only will be imparted by the shifter to the pinion; a spring for urging the pinion yieldingly against the engine gear while the pinion is rotated by the shifter; a manually operable actuator; disconnectible actuating and actuated motion-transmitting elements operatively connected respectively with the actuator and shifter; said actuated element being frictionally connected with the shaft and having a part located normally in the path of,

movement of the actuating element but rotated out of the path of movement of the actuating element when the motor operates, and having a cam part engageable with the actuating element and cooperating therewith to effect the return rotation of the actuated element to normal position when the actuator is returned to normal position; a spring located between the actuated elementand the pinionand compressed by reason of longitudinal movement of the actuated element relative to the pinion, and released for operation when the actuated element is disconnected from the actuating element whereby the actuated element will be quickly retracted from the pinion before the engine starts; and means for automatically demeshing the pinion from the engine gear when the engine starts.

25. Engine starting apparatus comprising, in combination a motor; a shaft operated there-by; a pinion driven by the shaft and movable endwise along saidshaft into mesh with an engine gear; a pinion shifter movable along the shaft and so connected with the shaft that endwise movement of the shifter is accompanied by rotation thereof; lost motion connections between the shifter and pinion permitting limited longitudinal movement of the shifter relative to the pinion in case endwise movement of the pinion is arrested whereby rotary motion only will be imparted by the shifter to the pinion; a spring for urging the pinion yieldingly against the engine gear while the pinion is rotated by the shifter; a manually operable actuator; a pin element moved by the actuator along the shaft; and a cylindrical de vice rotatably supported by the shaft and frictionally connected therewith and movable endwise so as to move the pinion toward the engine gear, said device having a recess for receiving the pin and so shaped as to provide a surface normally located in the path of movement of the pin but rotatable out of the path of movement of the pin when the motor operates, and so shaped as to provide a surface oblique to the shaft and coacting with the pin to cause the device to be retracted from the engine gear due to rotation of the device by the shaft when the motor operates, and also coacting with the pin to effect the rotation of the device to normal position when the pin is returned to normal position; and a spring located between the pinion and the cylindrical device and compressed by rea' son of longitudinal movement of the device relative to the pinion and released by the rotation of the device to disconnect it from the pin whereby the retraction of said device from the pinion will be assisted by said spring; and means for automatically demeshing the pinion from the engine gear when the engine starts.

26. Engine starting apparatus comprising, in combination, a motor; means for connecting the motor with a gear of an engine to be started and including a shaft, a pinion mov able axially along the shaft into meslrwith the engine gear, provisions whereby the pinion will be automatically demeshed from the gear when the engine starts, and a lost motion driving connectionbetween the shaft and pinion;'a pinion shifter movable axially of the shaft and connected with the pinion to rection to mesh the pinion with the engine gear, said spring being released when the actuator is disconnected from the motion transmitting member for causing the member to be urged away from the engine gear before the engine starts. i

27. Engine starting apparatus comprising, in combination; a motor; means for connecting the motor with a gear of an engine to be started and including a shaft, a pinion movable aXially along the shaft into mesh with the engine gear, provisions whereby the pin ion will be automatically demeshed from the gear when the engine starts, and a lost motion driving connection between the shaft and pinion; a pinion shifter movable axially of the shaft and connected with the pinion to initially rotate the pinion prior to meshing and to take up lost motion between the shaft and pinion; a spring transmitting axial movement from the shifter to the pinion; a manually operable actuator; a member for transmitting motion from the actuator to the shifter; means for automatically disconnecting the actuator from the motion transmitting member before the engine starts; and a spring for resisting movement of the motion transmitting member in a direction to mesh the pinion with the engine gear said spring being released when the actuator is disconnected from the motion transmitting member for causing the member to be urged away from the engine gear before the engine starts. 28. Engine starting apparatus comprising, in combination, a motor; a helically splined shaft operated by the motor; a pinion having a lost motion'driving connection with the helical splines and movable into mesh with a gear of an engine to be started; a pinion shifter constructed to initially rotate the pinion prior to meshingand'totake up" lost motion between the shaft and pinion; a man ually operable actuator; an intermediate element for transmitting motion from the actuator to the shifter; means for automatically disconnecting the actuator from the intermediate element before the engine starts; and a spring for resisting movement of the inter-,

mediate element in a direction to mesh the pinion with the engine gear, said spring being released when the actuator is disconnected from the intermediate element for causing the elementto be urged away from the engine gear before the engine starts.

29. Engine starting apparatus comprising, in combination, a'motor, a helically splined shaft operated by the motor, a pinion having a lost motion driving connection with the helical splines and movable into mesh with a gear of an engine to be started, and means for shiftingthe pinion into-mesh with the engine gear and operable in case of gear tooth abutment to apply pressure yieldinglybetween the pinion and engine gear while turning the pinion into meshing registration and tak ing up lost motion between the pinion and shaft; a manually operable actuator; an intermediate element for transmitting motion from the actuator to the shifter; means for automatically disconnecting the actuator from the intermediate element before the engine starts; and a spring for resisting movement of the intermediate element in a direction to mesh the pinion with the engine gear, said spring being released when the. actuator is disconnected from the intermediate element for causing the element to be urged away from the engine gear before the engine starts. V

30. Engine starting apparatus comprising, in combination, a motor; a helically splined shaft operated by the motor; a pinion having a lost motion driving connection with the helical splines and movable into mesh with a gear of'an engine to be started; a pinion shifter movable longitudinally of-the shaft and so, connected therewith that iongitudinal movement of the shifter effects rotation thereof; means connecting the shifter and pinion so that the pinion will be initially rotated to facilitate meshing; a manually operable actuator; an intermediate element for transmitting motion from the actuator to the shifter; means for automatically disconnecting the actuator fromthe intermediate e ementbefore the engine starts; and a spring for resisting movement of the intermediate element in a direction to mesh the pinion with the engine gear, said spring being released when the actuator is disconnected from the intermediate element for causing the element to be urged away from the engine gear before the engine starts.

31.7 Engine starting apparatus comprising, in combination, a motor; a helically splined shaft operated by themotor; a pinion having alost motion driving connection with the helical splines and movable into mesh with a gear of an engine to be started; a pinion shifter mounted upon the shaft and helically splined thereto whereby longitudinal movementfof the shifter effects rotation thereof; means connecting the shifter and pinion so that the pinion will be initially rotated to facilitate meshing; a manually operable actuator; an intermediate element for transmitting motion from the actuator to the shifter; means for automatically disconnecting the actuator from the intermediate element before the engine starts; and a spring forresisting movement of the intermediate element in a direction to mesh the pinion with the engine gear, said spring being released when the actuator is disconnected from the intermediate element for causing the element to be urged away from the engine gear before the engine starts.

32. Engine starting apparatus comprising, in combination, a motor; a helically splined shaft driven thereby; a pinion and a pinion shifter mounted upon said shaft and connected with said splines, the pinion having a lost motion driven connection with the shaft splines and movable into mesh with a gear of an engine to be started; a spring transmitting motion from the shifter to the pinion whereby the pinion will be yieldingly pressed against the gear in case of gear tooth abutment prior to meshing; means transmitting rotary movement from the shifter to the pinion; a manually operable actuator; an intermediate element for transmitting motion from the actuator to the shifter; means for automatically disconnecting the actuator from the intermediate element before the engine starts; and a spring for resisting movement of the intermediate element in a direction to mesh the pinion with the engine gear, said spring being released when the actuator is disconnected from the intermediate element for causing the element to be urged away from the engine gear before the engine starts.

33. Engine starting apparatus according to claim 32 in which those portions of the shaft splines normally engaged by the shifter are inclined relative to the shaft at an angle differing from the angular inclination of the shaft spline portions engageable with the pinion whereby separation of the pinion from the shifter is limited and the pinion is prevented from moving toward the engine gear unless actuated by the shifter.

84. Engine starting apparatus comprising, in combination, a motor; a helically splined shaft driven thereby; a pinion and a pinion shifter mounted upon said shaft and connected with said splines, the pinion having a lost motion driven connection with the shaft splines and movable into mesh with a gear of an engine to be started; a spring transmitting motion from the shifter to the pinion whereby the pinion will be yieldingly pressed against the gear in case of gear tooth abutment prior to meshing; means transmitting rotary movement from the shifter to the pinion; a manually operable actuator; disconnectible actuating and actuated motion-transmitting elements operatively connected respectively with the actuator and shifter; means for automatically moving the actuated element away from the path of movement of the actuating element before the engine starts; a spring located between the actuated element and the pinion and compressed by reason of longitudinal movement of the actuated element relative to the pinion while meshing the pinion with the engine gear, and released when the actuated element is disconnected from the actuating element whereby the actuated element will be urged away from the pinion before the engine starts; and means for restoring the operative connection between the actuating and actuated elements.

35. Engine starting apparatus comprising, in combination, a motor; a helically splined shaft driven thereby; a pinion and a pinion shifter mounted upon said shaft and connected with said splines, the pinion having a lost motion driven connection with the shaft splines and movable into mesh with a gear of an engine to be started; a spring transmitting motion from the shifter to the pinion whereby the pinion will be yieldingly pressed against the gear in case of gear tooth abu ment prior to meshing; means transmitting rotary movement from the shifter to the pinion; a manually operable actuator; disconnectible actuating and actuated motion-transmitting elements operatively connected respectively with the actuator and shifter; means responsive to the operation of the starting motor for automatically moving the actuated element away from the path of movement of the actuating element before the engine starts; a spring located between the actuated element and the pinion and compressed by reason of longitudinal movement of the actuated element relative to the pinion while meshing the pinion with the engine gear, and released for operation when the actuated element is disconnected from the actuating element whereby the actuated element will be urged away from the pinion before the engine starts; and means for restoring the operative connection between the actuating and actuated elements.

36. Engine starting apparatus comprising, in combination, a motor; a helically splined shaft driven thereby; a pinion and a pinion shifter mounted upon said shaft and connected with said splines, the pinion having a lost motion driven connection with the shaft splines and movable into mesh with a gear of an engine to be started; a spring transmitting motion from the shifter to the pinion whereby the pinion will be yieldingly pressed against the gear in case of gear tooth abutment prior to meshing; means transmitting rotary movement from the shifter to the pinion; a manually operable actuator; disconnectible actuating and actuated motion-transmitting elements operatively connected respectively with the actuator and shifter; means frictionally connecting the actuated element with the shaft whereby said element will be rotated away from the path of movement of the actuating element during cranking a spring located between the actuated elefor restoring the operative connection between the actuating and actuated elements.

37. Engine starting apparatus comprising, in combination, a motor; a helically splined shaft driven thereby; a pinion and a pinion shifter mounted upon said shaft and connected with said splines,- the pinion having a lost motion driven connection with the shaft splines and movable into mesh with a gear of an engine to be started; a spring transmitting motion from the shifter to the pinion whereby the pinion will be yieldingly pressed against the gear in case of gear tooth abutment prior to meshing; means transmitting rotary movement from the shifter to the pinion; a manually operable actuator; disconnectible actuating and actuated motion-transmitting elements operatively connected respectively with the actuator and shifter; said actuated element being frictionally connected with the shaft and having a part located normally in the path of movement of the actuating element but rotated out of the path of movement of the actuating element when the motor operates, and having a cam part engageable with the actuating element and cooperating therewith to effect the return rotation of the actuated element to normal position when the actuator is returned to normal position; and a spring located between the actuated element and the pinion and compressed by reason of longitudinal movement of the actuated element relative to the pinion, and released for operation when the actuated element is disconnected from the actuating element whereby the actuated element will be urged away from the pinion before the engine starts.

In testimony whereof I hereto affix my signature. JOHN B. DYER. 

